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The Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park is a treasured homage to the life and legacy of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. When Rawlings arrived in rural Cross Creek in 1928, she sought solace in a place where she could be closer to nature and find inspiration for her writing. She famously expressed in her book “Cross Creek,” “I do not know how any one can live without some small place of enchantment to turn to.” Embracing the beauty of her small Florida farmstead and surroundings, Rawlings wove her experiences into timeless stories that continue to captivate and inspire others to respect and cherish the land.

The historic Cracker farmhouse where Rawlings lived is meticulously preserved with her original furnishings and interpreted by staff dressed in authentic 1930s attire. Adjacent to the house are ornamental plants she carefully cultivated, along with a seasonal kitchen garden flourishing with herbs, flowers, and vegetables. The fragrant grove of orange, grapefruit, and tangerine trees encircling the property adds to the picturesque charm of the setting.

Rawlings’ deep connection to the land and its people is evident in her literary works such as “The Yearling” and “South Moon Under,” which depict the lives of the Cracker community she encountered in Cross Creek and the Ocala scrub. Through her writing, including “Cross Creek,” Rawlings also shared her interactions with Black Americans like Martha Mickens and Idella Parker, highlighting the diverse tapestry of humanity she encountered.

In reflecting on her time at Cross Creek, Rawlings acknowledged the profound significance of the land, recognizing that it belongs to the natural elements and the passage of time itself. She beautifully captured this sentiment by stating, “Cross Creek belongs to the wind and the rain, to the sun and the seasons, to the cosmic secrecy of seed, and beyond all, to time.”

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